Winchester football bows to Lexington

Scott Olszewski

Saturday

Sep 29, 2018 at 12:06 AMOct 1, 2018 at 7:49 PM

Lexington senior quarterback Anthony Bianchi threw for three touchdowns, and ran for three as the Minutemen defeated the Winchester High football team 42-28 at Knowlton Stadium in Winchester on Friday, Sept. 28.

Brendan Curran and Matt Romagna each ran for touchdowns with quarterback Tony Fiorentino throwing for one, and Tommy Degnan returning an interception for a touchdown for the Sachems.

"We made too many mental mistakes, and were not focused on the game," said Winchester coach Wally Dembowski. "We played like we practiced all week. We were not focused like we were in previous weeks. We knew they had skilled players, and their quarterback had a great game. The kids didn't quit, and they tried to battle back. Tommy made a great play on defense to keep us in the game. We now go to play Belmont who has been playing well. We just need to somehow be able to match their intensity next week."

Winchester opened the scoring with 4:01 left in the first quarter with an 11-play, 76 yard drive. Fiorentino led the offense in the air going three-for-three for 42 yards. Curran ended the drive with a 1-yard run. Fiorentino kicked the extra point to give Winchester a 7-0 lead.

Lexington answered on its next possession. On fourth and 6 from the Sachem 36, Bianchi threw to the end zone connecting with Mesay Merseth for a touchdown. Bianchi threw to Gabe Van Emon for the two-point conversion to give Lexington a 8-6 lead.

Winchester answered on its next possession on a 10-play, 75-yard drive. Winchester was faced with a fourth and 4 from the Lexington 14, but Fiorentino threw to Henry Kraft at the four. Kraft again took a screen pass and ran in for a touchdown. The extra point gave Winchester a 14-8 lead.

Lexington regained the lead with 5:42 left in the half. On second and goal from the one, Bianchi ran up the middle.for a touchdown. He threw to Mason Hatfield for the two point conversion to give Lexington a 16-14.

The Minutemen added to their lead after they force Winchester to punt to the 32 of Lexington. They put together an 11-play drive ended on first and goal from the 3 when Bianchi scored running up the middle. The two-point conversion failed, but they still led 22-14 with 3:56 left in the third.

After forcing Winchester to punt, Lexington got the ball back at their 31. Mason Hatfield opened the drive with a 38-yard carry. On second and 2 from the Sachem 23, Bianchi threw to Van Emon for a touchdown. The conversion failed, but Lexington still led 28-14 with 49 seconds left in the third.

The Minutemen managed to add to their lead with 8:45 left in the game. On third and 16 from the Lexington 35, Bianchi threw deep to Merseth at the 15 who was walked in for a touchdown. The two-point conversion was good as Hatfield ran it in to give Lexington 36-18 lead.

Winchester was able to get back on the board with 5:20 left in the third. Romagna ran it in from three yards out for a touchdown. The extra point cut the lead to 36-21.

The defense came through for a touchdown with 2:53 left in the fourth. Deegan picked off a Bianchi pass returning it 65 yards for a touchdown. The extra point cut the lead to.eight with 2:53 left in the game. It was as close as the Sachems would get as Bianchi added a 1-yard touchdown run with 54 seconds left for the 42-28 final.